Cry for freedom By Meaghan Chavez

[Friendship_Matters]

Title: Cry for Freedom
Genre: Drama/Historical Fiction
Summary: After the death of Betsy's husband. All her family wants to do is escape and runaway. Betsy thinks the whites are going to far and she decides its time to escape. Will they get caught or will they make it to freedom?



Chapter 1
Treated Badly
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" Quit that crying you worthless Negro. Those floors arent going to get clean by themselves! " " Yes Sir." Betsy said holding back the tears. She was so devastated from the death. Her husband Harold had died from getting shot by the white family that owned them. He refused to work for them.
All Betsy had left was her two children Henry and Hope. Their jobs was to feed and clean after the animals and Clean and Polish the floors.
" Get in your cots. I will wake you at four to start Sunday Breakfast for my family. "
" C'mon Henry and hope get in your cots."
" Mama we miss papa." sighed Hope
" I know dear its hard. Hes lookin down at us from heaven. "
" Mama I dont wanna live like this. " " We have to Henry. We'll escape someday. " " Mama sing us a lullaby. " " follow the drinking gourd follow the drinking gourd for the old man is a waiting for to carry you to freedom if you follow the drinking gourd. "
Betsy kept humming that song to them until they all finally fell asleep. Thunder howled and lighting striked that night. The moon was very bright in the night sky and the clouds were very gray.
" Wake up! Hurry up and start breakfast. " " Right on it Sir."
The three of them got started on breakfast. They made fresh
eggs and sausage with fresh squeezed orange juice.
" Henry please go and set the table. " " okay mama. "
Henry went over and put the glasses on the table, then the silverware. Henry went and got the plates he placed them one by one and on the last one he dropped it. Pieces shattered everywhere.
" Henry! What have you done! " " Im sorry mama! It slipped! "
John the husband of the white family charged in.
" What is going on! " " Im sorry sir it was me i accidentally dropped a plate, Im so sorry! " " Sorry isnt good enough come with me! " " No sir please dont take my son he didnt meen to do it! Please no! "
John snatched Henry's arm and charged out of the room. John took henry into the barn and layed him over a stack of hay. Henry was screaming and crying but John ignored him and whipped his legs then his back. " whip, whip! " The whipping marks bled and bled. John took Henry back into the house.
" John how could you do that to my son! He didnt meen to."
" Be quiet and get back to work your my slaves! " Hope was bawling she loved her brother. Betsy went up to Henry and hope and whispered in their ear. Were gonna escape tomorrow night.

[Friendship_Matters]

Chapter 2
Plans
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Henry and hope were shocked! Even though they wanted to escape so very badly they still thought it was a bad idea. " Mama do you think we can do it. " asked Hope. " Yes hope we are a strong family we can do it. "
The white family had their breakfast. Betsy's family got the scraps from their familys food to eat. They splitted it up evenly. All three got a little egg and bits of sausage. They got orange juice aswell.
That day Hope and Henry Fed the animals. Then they washed and scrubbed the floor. Then they polished it. Betsy did some gardening and cleaned up the house.
Henry was picking at his scabs from the whip. One of them started to blead again. " Henry! Dont pick at your scabs its not good. " " Sorry mama. "
The day went on. Betsy, hope, and henry made Lunch for the family and again got only the leftover scaps. They continued their cleaning eyeing the sky to wait till it was dark enough to make their escape. That night after they ate their scraps of dinner John told them to get into their cots and go to bed.
" Okay Henry, hope we are escaping tonight." " we know mama but we just are scared. We dont want to get caught by John and then get killed. " Added hope. " Honey i know but do you want to stay here as a slave waiting on these people till we are dead? " " No. " Said Hope and Henry in Harmony. " Good. Now heres whats gonna happen. You know John is a very light sleeper so heres the plan that i've come up with. "
"Were going to open the window and im going to put You guys out the window. Then you two need to lay down on the ground and be as quiet as you can while i get out of the window. Then we will quick and quietly sneak away from the house and down the road. " " Good plan mama. " Smiled Hope " Thank you dear. Now are you two ready? " " Yes " They said.
Betsy opened up the window. She gently picked up henry and helped him out the window. Then she did the same with Hope. Henry and Hope were layed down on the ground. Betsy Lifted her leg over the window when a light turned on in the house.
Betsy heard footsteps coming to their room. She hurried and lifted Hope and Henry back in the room to act like they were asleep. It was John he walked in, looked around then closed the door behind him. The light went off and they started again.
Betsy got hope and Henry out of the window and laid down. Betsy then jumped out of the window. The three of them quietly sneaked away from the devil house.